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Vanislander
Vanislander
Vanislander

Bonanza Range

Located in the north of Vancouver Island, the Bonanza Range is a small mountain range between the Tsitika River and the Nimpkish River. The 150 sq km (57.9 sq miles) area is a subrange of the Vancouver Island Ranges.
While approaching the Bonanza Range, you will experience a beautiful wilderness passing through the Tsitika River from Telegraph Cove and Bonanza Lake. The area is a paradise dotted with gorgeous lakes and tarns winding through alpine and subalpine mountain forests having spectacular views of incredible snow-capped mountains.
While ascending, you will be amazed by the area's natural beauty, passing tall and beautiful trees and up at the peaks, spectacular views of lakes, packed trees, and pillared mountains are awe-inspiring. A logging road is provided for experienced hikers treated as a route leading mountaineers to the magnificent mountains throughout the range.


Bonanza Range Location

The Bonanza Range is located north of Woss, between the Tsitika River and the Nimpkish River. The area offers a perfect experience of the beautiful wilderness and gorgeous lakes such as Ida Lake, Bonanza Lake, and Nimpkish Lake. Lakes to the south face of the range are Claud Elliot Lake and Klaklakama Lakes. Warm Lake is north of the range, and to the northwest are Thiemer Lake and Roselle Lake. Some beautiful lakes are also west of the range, such as Anutz Lake, Huson Lake, Welch Lake, and Victoria Lake. Two beautiful Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park and Lower Tsitika River Provincial Park are worthy of visiting with a breathtaking view of nature and a lake with plenty of activities to do.
Should you have time, take a visit to Claud Elliot Provincial Park and its nearby Ecological Park, Mt Elliot, to the range's ease face. The nearby communities and towns are Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill.


How to Get to the Bonanza Range by Car

From Nanaimo:
The fastest route to get to the Bonanza Range from Nanaimo is BC-19 N. It is a 330 km (205 miles) route and takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Take Third St to BC-19 N. After 3.3 km (2 miles) turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). Drive for 302 km (187.6 miles) and continue on Upper Steel Rd to your destination in Garden Bay. After 25.1 km (15.5 miles), you will reach Bonanza Peak.

From Victoria:
The fastest route to get to the Bonanza Range from Victoria is BC-19 N, a 440 km (273.4 miles) route. It takes about 5 hours.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Take BC-19 N to Steele Creek Rd/Upper Steel Rd in Woss and drive for 414 km (257.2 miles). Continue on Upper Steel Rd to your destination in Garden Bay. After 25.1 km (15.5 miles), you will reach Bonanza Peak.


The Hike to Get to the Bonanza Range

There is no designated hiking trail to get to the Bonanza Range.


History of the Bonanza Range

The Bonanza Range's area is home to the traditional territory of the people of Namgis First Nation. The deep and rich legends and culture of Namgis First Nation are rooted in the area and mountains.


Things to do around Bonanza Range Area

While visiting the Bonanza Range, you would be entertained by several activities at the range and nearby Lower Tsitika River and Nimpkish Lake Provincial Parks. The range's peaks, such as Bonanza, offer an excellent climbing experience with stunning views of mountains covered with trees.
To the north side of the range, visit the beautiful Lower Tsitika River Provincial Park to be amused by fishing, cycling, and camping offered by the park. Roadways are provided for bikers to enjoy cycling in the park. Bicycle helmets are mandatory. Random camping is allowed in the park with no facilities for enthusiasts to have a great time camping in the wilderness.
Nimpkish River Provincial Park and Nimpkish Lake offer enjoyable activities. Canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and windsurfing are available outside of the park in the lake. Besides fishing in the lake and park, there are opportunities for biking, hunting, and skiing in the park, lake, and mountains' beautiful ambiance.

List of Mountain Ranges Near the Bonanza Range

Karmutzen Range

Karmutzen Range

Hankin Range

Hankin Range

Franklin Range

Franklin Range

Bonanza Range

Bonanza Range

Bonanza Range Activities

Fishing

Opportunities for fishing exist in the Lower Tsitika River Provincial Park, Nimpkish Lake's freshwater, and Tlakwa Creek within Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park. Before fishing, check regulations issued by fisheries and oceans Canada. An appropriate license for angling is a must.

Skiing

In the beautiful areas near the gorgeous mountains of Tlakwa and Karmutzen, opportunities for backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering exist in the Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park. Access to these areas is from Western Forest Products logging roads.

Climbing

Mountaineers would experience a lovely snow-capped gorgeous mountain climbing, enjoying the area's beautiful ambiance through hemlock forest overlooking lakes and tarns.

Cycling

Biking is possible in Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park with no developed trails and Lower Tsitika River Provincial Park in which bikers must keep on roadways. Helmets are mandatory.

Kayaking, Canoeing

Visitors would enjoy the environment of Nimpkish Provincial Park and the crystal clear water of Nimpkish Lake while canoeing and kayaking in the Nimpkish Lake.

Hunting

Hunting is possible in some portions of the Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park for specific species. For closures and regulations, refer to the current Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Synopsis publication.

Swimming

While spending some time in the Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park, you would have fun swimming in the Nimpkish Lake outside of the park. There are no lifeguards on duty.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is perfect in Nimpkish Lake outside of the park. Nimpkish Lake is a hot spot for this thrilling activity. From the Western Forest Products recreation site, via Hwy 19, most windsurfers access the lake.

What you Can Expect to Do Near the Bonanza Range

Port Hardy Whale Watching

Port Hardy Whale Watching

Telegraph Cove Whale Watching

Telegraph Cove Whale Watching

Camping in Cluxewe Resort

Camping in Cluxewe Resort

Camping in Telegraph Cove Campground

Camping in Telegraph Cove Campground

Camping in Broughton Strait Campsite

Camping in Broughton Strait Campsite

Camping in Wildwoods Campsite

Camping in Wildwoods Campsite

Camping in Quatse River Campground

Camping in Quatse River Campground

Camping in Port Hardy RV Resort and Log Cabins

Camping in Port Hardy RV Resort and Log Cabins

Telegraph Cove Kayaking

Telegraph Cove Kayaking

Port McNeill Kayaking and Canoeing

Port McNeill Kayaking and Canoeing

Camping in the Alder Bay RV Park & Marina

Camping in the Alder Bay RV Park & Marina

Nimpkish Lake Windsurfing

Nimpkish Lake Windsurfing

Bonanza Range Outline

Specifications

Peaks and Heights

Climate

Timing

Get There



1. Temperatures are related to Mount Ashwood and estimated on average.
2. Be well-equipped for climate conditions and check the weather reports before heading out.


What you Can Expect to See Near the Bonanza Range

Telegraph Cove

Telegraph Cove

Port McNeill

Port McNeill

Mount Elliot Ecological Reserve

Mount Elliot Ecological Reserve

Minigill Cave

Minigill Cave

Artlish Caves

Artlish Caves

Little Huson Caves

Little Huson Caves

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Karmutzen Range

Karmutzen Range

Hankin Range

Hankin Range

Little Huson Cave Regional Park

Little Huson Cave Regional Park

Franklin Range

Franklin Range

Bonanza Range

Bonanza Range

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park

Nimpkish River

Nimpkish River

Nimpkish Lake

Nimpkish Lake

Planning for the Bonanza Range

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing




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